An officer involved shooting in Elkhorn back on October 18, 2018 will not result in charges against the Walworth County Sheriff’s deputy who fired their weapon.
Walworth County District Attorney Zeke Wiedenfeld announcing Friday that the investigation into the shooting death of Sean Dutcher by deputy Peter Wisnefsky was justified as self defense.
The incident began a call was received by the Walworth County dispatch that there was a reckless driver on Highway 67 coming from Waukesha County. A search of the vehicle’s records found it to be operated by Dutcher, who was extended supervision for his fifth OWI offense.
When a deputy tried to stop the vehicle for a traffic stop, Dutcher did comply briefly by slowing down and pulling over to the side of the road. Eventually, he sped up and began to flee.
It took several PIT maneuvers before law enforcement stopped Dutcher’s vehicle on East Centralia Street in Elkhorn. There five law enforcement squad vehicles tried to block Dutcher from leaving the scene.
As one officer tried to get Dutcher out of his vehicle, he put it in reverse for a short distance, then began accelerating it towards deputy Wisnefsky and striking his squad car. Deputy Wisnefsky fired his weapon ten times at Dutcher, with two bullets striking Dutcher in the chest.
Dutcher’s vehicle came to a stop after it struck a wall at a nearby manufacturing business. He later died at the scene.
District Attorney Wiedenfeld says the investigation by the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office and the state Department of Criminal Investigation found enough evidence to determine Deputy Wisnefsky was justified in his actions to fire upon Dutcher.
Walworth County Sheriff Kurt Picknell says Deputy Wisnefsky has returned to active duty after being put on leave following the shooting. An internal investigation continues into the incident.
